"If I wasn't, would I even reply?" Mello asked- not taking his eyes off Nate.

"Thou are watching Near far more then usual," Rome pointed out, peering over at Nate.

"Thou art." Mello sighed. "Lay off a bit Romeo."

"There is not an o at the end of my name," Rome reminded. "Does Near appear a bit different to you?"

"No, he seems like an asshole to me." Mello replied flatly- crossing his arms and leaning back against the wall.

"That was obviously forced," Rome informed - not surprising, as he was an expert at reading people's facial expressions, even when it appeared he was looking elsewhere.

"Because Near forces out the worst in me." Mello replied. "What the hell do you want Rome?"

"To know why someone other then Near is pretending to be Near," Rome whispered, careful not to let anyone else hear him.

"You're not making any sense, go away." Mello replied sharply. "Go dress up like Matt or something."

"That would be Toma that does that," Rome snorted. "I have blonde hair, I would make a very poor Matt."

Mello turned and looked at Rome.

"Oh, it is you." Mello mumbled. "I get you two mixed up all the time, since you don't interest me at all."

"Of course I don't," Rome informed, lifting an eyebrow. "You are far too busy being completely in love with Near but too chicken to admit it to him, so picking on him instead like a child. That, however, is not Near, but still interests you because he looks like him and what could be better? After all, he can't turn you down for being second best if he isn't above you."

Mello whirled and gripped Rome by his navy-blue sweater with the tattered sleeves just as baggy on the other blonde boy's. He shook him and bared his teeth.

"What did you just say!?" He growled.

"Fight!" One of the kids called and suddenly everyone was gathered around, rooting the two of them on and trying to get them to throw punches.

Nate sat in the back and watched over his shoulder, a blank expression on his face.

Mello shoved Rome back and started walking around Rome while a circle was made around them. Everyone knew that Mello was pretty tough and could take most people, but it was always still great to watch him fight.

Rome dusted himself off and turned to leave, but was shoved back by a few of the kids. He frowned - he wasn't the kind of kid who fought with others, but knew that everyone just wanted to see Mello beat someone down.

Nancy came in, however, and broke everyone up. Several kids made a run for it, not wanting to get into trouble.

"What have we said about fighting!?" Nancy scolded Mello.